Manager Rodney Linares ties franchise record after Hooks victory

Hooks' manager Rodney Linares talks to his players as they warm up to play against Arkansas during opening day Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez/Caller-Times)Buy Photo

Top hitters: Hooks left fielder Jason Martin was 2 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI as designated hitter Jon Singleton added two hits and scored a run. Catcher Carlos Canelon was 2 for 4 with a run, and Ryne Birk hit his third home run of the season, a Grand Slam in the sixth inning. No Cardinals player had multiple hits as Jose Adolis Garcia hit his 10th home run of the season.

Top pitchers: Hooks starting pitcher Franklin Perez had a solid outing as he gave up two runs on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Hooks reliever Riley Ferrell pitched two scoreless innings for his second save of the season to end the game.

Highlights: The Hooks used a seven spot in the sixth inning to take the lead and break a six-game losing streak. Birk’s grand slam was the big blow as it came with two outs against reliever Andrew Morales. Martin had a two-run double and Spencer Johnson added an RBI single in front of his hometown crowd in the sixth. Springfield starter Chris Ellis was responsible for six of the seven runs in the inning. The seven runs scored by the Hooks in the sixth was the most in a single inning this season, eclipsing six which was most recently scored on Aug. 9.

Notes: The victory was manager Rodney Linares’ 231st as Hooks skipper, which ties him for most wins in Hooks franchise history. Linares is tied with former boss Keith Bodie.